Top Texas election official acknowledges threats to ballot secrecy
Rules and practices meant to promote transparency also create vulnerabilities for voters, lawmakers were told. Full Story
![Voters wait in line outside Cody Public Library in San Antonio during the evening hours of Election Day on Oct. 23, 2020.](https://thumbnails.texastribune.org/fm_vM827NIa3SOTmm6LLXWvqt-M=/850x570/smart/filters:quality(75)/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a4c2f35e32f8cdcebdff6c5d606b17d6/San%20Antonio%20Election%202020%20CD%20TT%2012.jpg)
Natalia Contreras covers election administration and voting access for Votebeat in partnership with The Texas Tribune. She has covered a range of topics as a community journalist including local government, public safety, immigration and social issues. Natalia previously reported for the Austin American-Statesman, focusing on impacts of government policies on communities of color. Natalia previously worked at the Indianapolis Star, where she helped launch the first Spanish-language newsletter, and at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. She was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas in Mexico and grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. She is based in Austin.
Rules and practices meant to promote transparency also create vulnerabilities for voters, lawmakers were told. Full Story
In limited instances, the choices some Texas voters make can later be identified using public, legally available data. Full Story
Some of the problems that prompted a judge to order a new election in a 2022 Harris County race occur often, especially in high-turnout elections, election officials said. Full Story
The bigger bill for the GOP primary in Gillespie County illustrates how election costs could rise if hand counting of ballots is widely adopted. Full Story
Courts are still working through election challenges brought as far back as 2021. Experts say the protracted fights threaten voter confidence. Full Story
Brazos County election officials are responding to demands from skeptical residents by expanding hand counts and ordering special paper. Full Story
Votec, one of only three companies certified to manage voter registration data in Texas, is facing a financial squeeze and asking counties for a 35% surcharge. Full Story
After declaring a successful hand count of ballots, Gillespie County Republicans had to fix a series of errors in the results reported from almost every precinct. Full Story
The Texas Secretary of State and other election experts warned Gillespie County Republicans the process would be expensive, time-consuming and less reliable. Full Story
For a long time, I didn’t want to think or talk about elections or politics. That changed four years ago. Full Story